Model Shipways "Phantom" Pilot Boat Group Build 2007

I hope some of you boys are still around. I am building this boat and have many many questions. I am on my second hull. The dog ate the first one, No Really!!

I will wait and see if there are any replies to this post before I start asking questions

Thanks,

WR

WR, I have not check this build in almost a year  Long story-short, we moved and moved again.  Now I'm in the process of building a hobby room.  If things go as planed it should be finished in a month. 

As for the hull, I have only started to carve her to the proper shape.  Did you download the manual on how to build the Phantom from ModelExpo?  If not you need to.

OK, it's over a year since the last post.

I've finally gotten to the rebuild of a "preassembled" Model Shipways "Phantom", and came here to see what info was available. The model had been built for a local hobby shop, exactly the way the kit instructions directed. It had not been "cased", and suffered damage (lots!), so I got it cheap. I also have a complete kit waiting, so this one is a practice. I'm currently at the "stripped to bare wood- masting and rigging scrapped-new deck,timberheads,rails built-copper (ugh)plating removed and scrapped (I'll paint)-new bowsprit,cockpit,steering box done" stage.

Part of my research lead to these two photos:

the first, shows the cockpit of N.Y. Pilot boat#2, looking forward. While not "Phantom", it is exemplary of the common practice of the time, and most likely the closest representation of Phantom's cockpit, that can be found now. The "seats"(starboard and port) appear to be at the quarterdeck height. The "structure" lower left corner is the binnacle. This is not shown in the "Phantom" drawings, and not part of that kit, but I suspect "Phantom" also had the same or similar binnacle, in that location.

 The second, here, is the same cockpit looking aft.  

I figured that this would be as good a place as any to post these photos, to possibly help any others who undertake the building of this kit. 

Here's three quick shots of the rebuild in progress:

Progress. Since the last photos, I've cleaned up and reused the fife rails that came with the kit, built the forward companionway, binnacle,and rebuilt the rudder. The original builder used card stock for the pintles and gudgeons. I've redone them with styrene. The bollards (6 of them) are built, and in place.

The binnacle is shaped out, and is too small for much real detail. There may be some I can add, but most will be painted in. The guard bars over the skylight windows, are cut down from Detail Associates, #GR2722, photoetch, HO scale GE C32-8 Diesel grilles.

In this shot you can see the new pintles and gudgeons.  

Comparing this model with the kit I have (yet to build) the newer kit has closer to scale deadeyes. This model had larger cast deadeyes. I will probably have to fashion new deadeyes from 0.08" styrene rod . I will also have to fashion new blocks from Styrene. That, will slow things down.

Once Phantom is painted, I'll start the rigging. I will also start rigging the "coastal schooner" I'm building from the Lindberg "Sandpiper" hull. If you want to build along?.....welcome aboard! The first thing will be the chainplates for the shrouds, 6 for Phantom, and 8 for the coaster.